Weather Forecast

Snow removal was addressed for the second meeting in a row by Holyoke City Council Tuesday, Nov. 17. Mayor David Nygaard said he feels what the city is asking business owners to do regarding snow removal, is a little much.

City Supt. Mark Brown drafted a letter to send to local businesses explaining the reasoning behind the requests.

The city is requesting businesses to remove the snow from sidewalks before 6 a.m. They are not requiring it. The reason for the request is to keep parking problems to a minimum with snow being pushed back into the gutters and streets after city crews have cleared them.

Nygaard wants to stress to everyone that the city will be as accommodating as possible.

Another issue is blocking the view of motorists entering the highway. Piled snow on street corners greatly reduces visibility. The city asks snow be piled in parking lots or towards alleys instead of on street corners.

Reports of city officials

City Supt. Brown said the final day the city will pick up leaves will be Wednesday, Nov. 25. The final day to put leaves in the gutters will be Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Police Chief Phil Biersdorfer said they investigated another accident involving a motorized wheel chair and a vehicle. He said it was the second incident in less than a month.

City Attorney Al Wall gave a follow-up on medical marijuana dispensaries and what the state is doing at the moment regarding the issue. The council approved a moratorium during the Oct. 20 meeting.

The ordinance declared a moratorium on review of applications for the dispensaries of medical marijuana within the City of Holyoke pending the adoption of appropriate zoning regulations and declaring an emergency.

Final budget approved

During the meeting Tuesday, council members approved the final draft of the 2010 budget. Also approved was the first reading of the annual appropriations ordinance. The final reading and passage will be held during the council’s Dec. 1 meeting.

Total appropriations in the budget is $5.65 million with the majority in the general fund, $2,450,169 and utility fund, $2,923,989.